FLORENCE, Ky. — Jenna Kemper is a mom of 3 kids who like to swim, and the Florence Aquatic Center is something to thank for that.
What You Need To Know
- Florence's Aquatic Center reopens Memorial Day Weekend
- The last open season at the Florence Aquatic Center was 2019
- The center was closed through the 2020 and 2021 seasons
- Local mom Jenna Kemper said she was one who helped work with city council to reopen the center for 2022
“My kids have learned to swim here and have grown up here,” Kemper said.
She said that’s something that helped make her an advocate for the good the aquatic center brings to the community. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, things have been far from normal at the center.
“2019 was the last normal summer because 2020, all the pools closed. Some started to reopen slowly through the summer, but the city decided not to open it at all,” Kemper said.
In the off season, the city kept it treated and filled to prevent a backslide, hoping to open in the near future.
“That’s one of the things we were really begging [for] in 2021 is at least maintain it so we can have a 2022 season,” Kemper said.
She was one of many who challenged city council members to reopen the center for the 2022 season. Now, the doors will finally open on Memorial Day weekend.
They’ll be holding festivities and a 5K to celebrate the reopening of a center that provides space to swim to the competitive swim team—the Florence Hammerheads. Even for those not swimming competitively, Kemper said there’s something for everyone.
“There’s slides. There’s a lap lane pool which is where we have the swim team, there’s slides for the little kids and it’s zero depth entry so that’s handicap accessible. We have a lazy river the kids really enjoy. It’s just a great place for all ages,” she said.